Moonstone - women's mineral with moonlight

As a celestial body, the moon is subject to constant transformation, and the same applies to moonstone, which is credited with enhancing our intuitive powers. This mineral arouses great fascination, and for good reason: depending on how the light falls on the stone, it produces either a rainbow play of colors or a shimmer, which is a kind of iridescence.

The association of the moon and the mineral is not coincidental, because just as the moon sends reflected rays of the sun from the sky, the moonstone also reflects them. Observation of the stone is a reminder that the Moon decreases and begins to arrive again, and is always in a constant cycle of change.

The Moon as a satellite of the Earth has always fascinated people. With the moonstone, which received its name only in the 18th century, it is similar. It owes its original name to its appearance, specifically its silvery-pearl glow, reminiscent of moonlight. The mysterious and calming glow of the moonstone was noticed centuries ago. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Arabs saw in this gemstone the power of the moon. It was often regarded as a source of energy for women. It has always been attributed with healing properties.

In historical mineralogical writings, moonstone is sometimes mentioned as "sunstone," "water opal," "fish eye" or "transparent feldspar." For a long time it was considered a variety of opal, as "when set in the right direction to the light, it cast a silvery or pearly glow from its interior." This is also where the outdated term "iridescent feldspar" came from. The fact that moonstone and opal are two different minerals, similar only externally, was proved by chemical composition studies conducted by prominent 18th century mineralogists such as Abraham Gottlob Werner or Axel Kronstedt.

Properties of moonstone

Moonstone is a variety of potassium feldspar (orthoclase) with a chemical composition of K(AlSi3O8). It crystallizes in a single-strand crystallographic system, its crystals are either prismatic or columnar, sometimes growing to form twin forms. Moonstone concentrations are sometimes granular or massive.

Colorless and almost transparent minerals are exceptionally valuable. The stone has a vitreous or pearly luster with a bluish luster. The flakiness of the stone is excellent, the breakthrough uneven to shell-like.

The hardness of moonstone is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and the density of the mineral is 2.56 - 2.62 g/cm³.

Moonstones are not rare and are found in many places around the world. However, the mining site always plays an important role when it comes to the color of the stone. Blue stones, mostly from Madagascar, are considered particularly valuable and of high quality. Slightly cloudy and not so radiantly beautiful are minerals found in India. They have rather dim shades and an orange glow. The most important deposits of moonstones are found in Sri Lanka. Besides, they can be found in Brazil, Burma, Norway, Austria, Tanzania and the USA.

Moonstone color

The color of this mineral is sometimes variable: colorless, white, yellow, peach, pink, gray and in rare cases also green and brown.

A common characteristic of all moonstones is a bluish-white, slightly silvery glow on the surface of the stone. The well-known mineralogist and chemist Cornelio August Doelter y Cisterich (1850-1930) described it as "a very beautiful bluish, near-silvery, ray of moonlight on a somewhat milky to yellow mass." It is a phenomenon caused by the layered structure of the mineral and manifests itself as a bluish-white flicker, which is produced when light falls and refracts on the surface of the moonstone.

The importance and use of moonstone

Moonstone is mainly used for making jewelry. To emphasize the subtle shimmering of the mineral called schillerescence, a smooth cabochon cut is usually used. The mineral's smooth surface allows optical effects to emerge to the best possible degree. Other grinds, which feature multiple planes, are rarely applicable to moonstone. In addition, it is brittle and flaky to work with.

The grinding process is sometimes omitted for raw stone jewelry. Natural, untreated stones are neither polished nor polished. Moonstone in its original raw form is mounted in earrings, bracelets or rings.

Jewelry in the form of necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings requires careful handling so as not to damage the stones.

Moonstone has very positive effects on the body and soul. This gemstone is also sometimes called "the stone of women." The basis for this is the special effect attributed to it on the sexual organs of women. It is believed that the moonstone regulates the hormonal balance in the female body and can promote fertility. In addition, the mineral is said to provide women with balance, vitality and tranquility.

Counterfeit moonstone

Moonstones are not only healing stones, but, above all, a sought-after piece of jewelry. The high demand for these minerals causes fake moonstones to appear on the market. Particular caution should be exercised when the following trade names appear to raise the price of minerals that are not moonstones:

• Blue moonstone - this is usually chalcedony, which is a well-known mineral, but has different properties than real moonstone.
• Black moonstone - is generally a very dark labradorite.
• Rainbow moonstone - this is usually white-colored labradorite.
• Canadian moonstone - this is mostly albite, a common mineral.

Moonstone and zodiac signs

For three zodiac signs, moonstone is an important mineral: for Sagittarius, Pisces and Scorpio. While the stone stimulates Sagittarius to be more creative, for Fish it makes them more open to their surroundings, and for Scorpio it lifts somewhat the veil of mystery that surrounds them.

• Piscesand Moonstone
  Those born under the sign of Pisces are most identified with the moonstone. Fishes are considered sensitive, empathetic and willing to help. They have good intuition, and their hunches often come true. Because of their big heart and power of compassion, Fishes must be careful that their positive qualities are not used for a bad purpose.

• Scorpioand the Moonstone
  Scorpio is a particularly mysterious zodiac sign. People born under this sign have a lot of energy, are brave and passionate, and are not afraid of life's challenges. Since they want to know everything with details, diplomacy is not their strongest point. Scorpio uses his dangerous spike only when he is threatened. His opponents should be careful in such a situation, as Scorpio can be ruthless.

• Sagittarius and Moonstone
  People born under this sign are characterized by joie de vivre and optimism. They are seen as optimists with a lot of imagination and a sense of honor. Sagittarius appreciates the company of others, loves the smell of the big world and seeks new adventures. Sagittarians say what they think and sometimes pass on information they should keep to themselves.